Playing piece return mechanism



Sept. 5, 1950 BECK 2,521,563

PLAYING- PIECE RETURN MECHANISM Filed Dec. 31, 1949 INVENTOR.

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Patented Sept. 5, 1 950 UNIT ED PAT 2,521,563

PLAYINQPIEQERETURN Joseph E. :Beck, Milwaukee, assignor ts ,Mitcliell Novelty Company, Milwaukee, wisgia corporation of Wisconsin Applicaiicn December-'31, wealsenai Ne,

"k The present invention relates generally to 'improved means for effecting return of playing pieces =in'game devicesto their starting zone and, more particularly, "to improved means for automatically returning to the players disk 'shape'd playing piecessuchas pucks or 'the'like in-shu'ffleboard, hockey and similarga-me apparatus.

A :prirnary object of the -invention is -'to provide an improved "means for automatically returning disk-shaped playing pieces to their starting point in games of various types wherein such pieces are propelled under the direction of a player to effect scoring.

"Various mechanisms have in the past been providedto-efieot the return OfadiSk-Shaped playing pieces. Belt-type and similar conveying mechanisms are too expensive and are furthermore objectionable in that they constantly require servicing "operations. Gravity return systems have not proven satisfactory either because the available h'ead room would *not permit 'diskshaped playing pieces to be positively and efifectively -returned-flat, orwhen they were returned on-edge jamming-at-the mouth-of the return-passage has'created' aconstant source-of trouble.

It is therefore a further and more specific 'object of the invention, to perfect -a means -'for -a rolling-'on-edge returnofthe-disk-shaped playing pieces in which the 'mouth I of the return passage isso shaped-as to preclude jamming of the playing pieces therein.

These and *other more specific -objects and advantages ofthe invention will beapparent from the followingdetailed description.

A- c1ear eonception of several steps involved in my improved-puck returningsystems, and of the construction and'functioning of typical-game apparatusf or e'ffecting automatic return (if circular disc-like projectiles, may be had by-re'ferrin to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification-wherein like reference charactersdesignate-thesame.or similar partsin the various views.

:Fig. 1' is a perspective view of 'a-game device embodying #my invention, and showing several disc like pucks inzvarious positions thereon;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary part sectional and somewhat enlarged top viewoi :"the itable 'of the game device with portions -of the upper deck broken away, and the score recording 'devices omitted;

Fig. -3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the same tablataken along the line 3-3 of FigHZyand Figs i is afragmentary transverse vertical-sec- :6 aGlaims. Cl. 2223-426) v 2 V ti'on through the table taken along-the line 4---"4 of Fig. 2. In accordance 'with' the present inventiom l return-a-flatcircdlar-w6ight orpuck from a score j ing zone to-a starting zone in a-game device having-a fiat-'cleck spanning the gap :between such: zones, -'-by tilting the diselike puck on edge promptly miter it --has "been projected 530F055 and beyond any portion cf the scoring zone, and Jay thereafter rolling the tilted "puck -on its .peripheral edge down -successive transverse and dongi tu'dinal inclines back to the startingaone. While the "invention is especially applicable :to ,a game table wherein only limited headroom is available for returning the puck ts the-operators, :it is not my desire or intent to unnecessarily restrict the' improvement to such games, and it is also :contemplated thatspecific descriptive terms -used herein be given the broadest interpiuatatienlcone si-s'tent =with the disclosure.

'Referr'ingito the-drawingsgtheparticular :game device shown for purposes mf -disclosure .coma prises in general a oasinglorycabinet tfl :mounted uponiegs l l and h-aving annpperxleck 12 proi vided with asflat elongated surtace extending troma front startingrzone lt toand -across amear scoring zone -M having'a series-or group :of score recording devices 4| 5 therein;:one orrmorercirculardisc-shaped weights or punks &6 :adapted ito be forcibly proiected from the-startingmonellisalong the deck Titan-(leverthe scoring :zone M; sat-buffer plate 1 1 cooperating with'an iinclined transverse Wall. F8"totilt' the='puck-s :l 65011; edge andto deposit them upon afisnansverse :in'clin-edw mail .11 9: :and .=a longitudinal slightly inclined groove 32d latone' side of andrwithin 'thevcasing villhior-.returnin;g the pucksztfi from theilowestlportion ofitherrail l9 to a recepta'cle fiImeanthe startingzzone'zm.

"The cabinet 10 zmay the ifcrmed 'of any :desiredlength andiof any suitazble material and:thedeck ifi sholild iae smooth and--may be.slightly inclined toward -the sstarting zone '13. llhis de'ckJd in a' table 1 type game, should also be disposed =:a-t ia proper height above :the floor .so :as to :makefithe' star-tingmone l 3-convenient1y accessiblelby a person standingron Lthe ficor inifront of Jthe ma chine; andiwhile ithe pucks :I61of EtheJmachine illustrated are adapted :ito be iforcibly: projected; or :delivered along :fche :upper :deck lsurface ibyv hand, some'of :these gameitablessmaygalso be pros vidednwithzmechanicalrproiectors. fl-hescoresrecording devices ll 5 mayzalso ibemf rd-iverseltypes; and in :the particular igame shownc'herein, :sthes'edevioes m5 zlocated ewithin ithe :scoring zone 2t4 are :adapted :to. cooperate i with .w sscore :bcard 3 so as to automatically record bowling scores on the board. The devices I5 and the board 23 are electrically actuable in a well known manner which constitutes no essential part of the present invention.

The mechanism for automatically returning the flat disc-like pucks I6 to the starting point after they have been delivered across or over the scoring zone I4 is however an important feature of my invention. there is far less resistance to the rolling of a circular object than to the sliding of that object on a fiat face. Since in game devices of this character there is not sufiicient head room to provide the steep incline of a return chute necessary to permit a fiatwise sliding return of the pucks, it becomes essential that the pucks be placed on edge so as to permit edgewise rolling. It would seem, upon first and superficial consideration, that any funnel or hopper shaped receptacle converging to terminate in a channel wider than the thickness of the puck yet considerably narrower than the diameter of the puck would function to place the puck on edge. Such, however, is not the case, for there is a great tendency for the puck to become wedged in such a return channel. This is particularly true where, in game devices of this character, the puck is provided with a band of resilient material about the periphery of the puck, which band being usually formed of rubber or like material has a high coefiicient of friction. This is further especially likely to happen in game devices of the character here disclosed because the puck usually has suflicient momentum to carry it well beyond the terminating edge of the playing surface so that its descent into the mouth of the return passage is in a fiat approximately horizontal position.

It has been found that it is extremely helpful in precluding such wedging of the puck if one wall of the hopper-like return channel or gap 24 is made substantially vertical. Herein the forward channel wall I4 is shown as the vertical wall. This wall extends transversely of the playing surface and since the score recording devices I5 herein are spread out over a considerable width of the playing surface, the wall I4 extends throughout approximately the entire width of the playing surface. Making the adjacent wall the vertical one has the advantage that a puck Ii will either remain visible on the playing surface or, if it is traveling just fast enough to project slightly more than half way over the edge of the playing surface, it will tilt and drop edgewise into the mouth of the return gap. 24.

Opposite the vertical wall I4 and also extending transversely substantially across the entire width of the playing surface is a rear wall I8. This wall, instead of being straight and vertical, extends generally downwardly and toward the wall Il', herein with progressively increasing inclination, so as to direct any puck I6 coming in contact therewith downwardly into the mouth of the return passage or gap 24 in an on-edge position. From its upper edge I8, the wall I8 extends downwardly and toward the wall I4, at progressively larger angles with the plane of the playing surface, terminating in a vertical portion I8" disposed parallel with the wall I4 and spaced therefrom by a distance slightly greater than the thickness ofa puck. The rail 19 may also be formed of rubber and is disposed beneath the gap 24, and the lower end of the rail I9 is connected to the upper end of the inclined guide- It is fundamental that way or groove 20 by means of a smoothly curved guiding section 26. The groove 20 is smooth throughout its length and connects the curved section 26 with the puck receptacle 2| at the front of the machine, and the inclination of the groove 2G is only sufiicient to insure rolling of the tilted pucks I6 on their peripheral edges therealong, thus permitting concealment of the guideway within the cabinet III.

During normal use of the improved game, one or more circular flat disc-like pucks I6 of considerable weight may be utilized, and these will normally be stored within the receptacle 2| and in the adjacent lower end of the inclined groove 1 20. The player or operator may then remove the successive pucks I6 from the receptacle II and after placing each puck flatwise upon the starting zone I3 of the deck I2, it may be forcibly slid along the deck toward the scoring zone I4. As the advancing puck slides over and contacts the scoring devices I5 it automatically records the score upon the score board 23, and as it reaches the end of the deck I2 directly beyond the scoring zone I2 the puck either spans the gap 24 and strikes the buffer plate II, or it drops by gravity over the end of the deck I2. If the puck is travelling fast, it rebounds from the resilient inclined plate I! and is tilted on edge dropping by gravity through the gap 2d and onto the inclined wall I8 which promptly functions to set the circular puck IS on edge upon the inclined rail I9. If it is travelling slowly it drops on edge directly through the gap 24, and upon being deposited edgewise upon this rail I9 as depicted in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 4, the puck I6 rolls by gravity downwardly along the rail I9 around the section 26 and along the groove 20 back toward the receptacle 2I, from whence it may be subsequently removed in order to repeat the cycle of operations. In the event that a puck I6 is not projected with suflicient force to reach the scoring zone or the gap 24, then the player may readily grasp the missle by hand and properly repeat the shot.

From the foregoing detailed description of the construction and operation of a typical game involving my invention, it should be apparent that I have in fact provided a simple method of effectively returning the flat disc-like pucks IE to the starting point or zone I3 automatically and without the aid of complicated mechanism. The method may be carried on in various types of games, and especially in table games wherein the return rails and grooves may be disposed entirely within compact cabinets, and the apparatus requires no special attention after having been properly installed. The apparatus for tilting the flat circular pucks I6 on edge performs its function rapidly and with minimum noise, and the slight inclination of the rail I9 and guideway 20 causes the righted pucks to roll rapidly upon their peripheral edges from the scoring zone I4 to the starting zone by gravity alone. In order to further reduce the noise, each puck I6 may be embraced by a rubber band or tire in any convenient manner, and the return of the pucks to the exposed receptacle 2| may also be coin or otherwise controlled. The invention has gone into extensive and successful commercial use especially in connection with a bowling type shuffle table,

and the apparatus for exploiting the improvement can be manufactured at very moderate cost.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention tothe exact details of construction and operation of the apparatus, herein shown and described, for various modifications within.- he scope of the appended claims may occur teskilled in th rt.

. c aim:

1. In a game device having a playing surface over which a disk-shaped playing piece may be slidably propelled generally in one direction and a storage station for the. playing piece located atv the end from which the playing pieces are propelled, means for returning the playing piece to the storage station comprising channel-forming means extending generally in said direction and inclined downwardly toward the storage statien or guiding the p y ng niece rollably on ed aplaying piece receiving hopper disposed beneath plane of the playing, surface and having a playing piece receiving opening adjacent a marg, a1 edge of a portion of said playing surface, sa d; hopper comprising an approximately plane and vertical wall extending transversely of said direction, a second wall extending transversely of direction opposite said vertical wall, said second sl pin fremthe ton p ogressivelyinwardly of said hopper to approach the vertical and being spaced from the vertical wall a distance not closer than the thickness of the playing piece,

and a bottom inclined toward said channel forming means, said walls and bottom forming a guide channel extending transversely of said direction, and a curved channel-forming section connecting said guide channel and said channel-forming means.

2. In a game device having a playing surface over which a disk-shaped playing piece may be slidably propelled generally in one direction and a storage station for the playing piece located at the end from which the playing pieces are propelled, means for returning the playing piece to the storage station comprising a channel-forming means extending generally in said direction and inclined downwardly toward the storage station for guiding the playing piece rollably on edge, a playing piece receiving hopper disposed beneath the plane of the playing surface and having a playing piece receiving opening adjacent a marginal edge of a portion of said playing surface, said hopper having on its side nearer the storage station an approximately plane and vertical wall extending transversely of said direction and a second wall forming the opposite side of the hopper also extending transversely of said direction, said second wall sloping from the top progressively inwardly of said hopper to approach the vertical and together with said plane wall forming a guide channel extending transversely of said direction and provided with a bottom inclined toward said channel-forming means and just slightly wider than the thickness of a playing piece, and a curved channel-forming section connecting said guide channel and said channel-forming means.

3. In a game device having a playing surface over which a disk-shaped playing piece may be slidably propelled generally in one direction and a storage station for the playing piece located at the end from which the playing pieces are propelled, means for returning the playing piece to the storage station comprising channel-forming means extending generally in said direction and inclined downwardly toward the storage station for guiding the playing piece rollably on edge, a

vertical wall extending transversely of said'dh rection and a secondwall extending transversely of said direction opposite saidplane wall, said second wall from. its top edge inwardly being pro gressively inclined toapproach the vertical and to approach said plane wall to-form therewith'a guide channel of a width slightly greater than the thickness of a playing piece so as torecei-ve a playing piece in on edge position only and said guide channel having a bottom inclined toward said channel-forming means, and a curved cha n net-forming section connecting said. guide channel and said channel-forming'means.

4. In a game device having a playing surface over which a. disk-shapedaplaying piece may" be slidably propelled generally in-on'e direction and a storage station. for the-playing piece located at the end from which the playing pieces are pro= pelled, means for returning the playing piece to the storage station comprising channel-forming means extending generally in said direction and inclined, downwardly toward: the storage station for guiding the playing piece rollably on edge, a playing piece receiving hopper disposed beneath the plane of the playing surface and having a playing piece receiving opening adjacent a marginal edge of a portion of said playing surface, said hopper comprising an approximately plane and vertical wall extending transversely of said direction, a second wall inclined downwardly toward said vertical wall and extending transversely of said direction to form a guide channel and means forming a bottom for said channel slightly wider than the thickness of a playing piece and inclined downwardly toward said channel-forming means, and means forming a curved channel section connecting said guide channel and said channel-forming means.

5. In a game device having a playing surface over which a disk-shaped playing piece may be slidably propelled generally in one direction and a storage station for the playing piece located at the end from which the playing pieces are propelled, means for returning the playing piece to the storage station comprising a channel-forming means extending generally in said direction and inclined downwardly toward the storage station for guiding the playing piece rollably on edge, a playing piece receiving hopper disposed beneath the plane of the playing surface and having a playing piece receiving opening adjacent a marginal edge of a portion of said playing surface, said hopper having an approximately plane and vertical wall extending transversely of said direction, a second wall portion extending transversely of said direction inclined downwardly toward said vertical wall with the lower edge of said wall portion spaced from said vertical wall a distance less than the diameter of the playing piece and greater than the thickness of said playing piece to form a guide channel supporting the playing piece generally in on edge position, and a member forming a bottom for said hopper inclined toward said channelforming means, said channel-forming means being connected at its higher end in playing piece receiving relation to the lower end of said hopper.

6. In a game device having an elogated playing surface with a transversely extending opening therein and a scoring zone immediately adjacent the opening over which a disk-shaped playing piece may be propelled generally longitudinally thereof and across the scoring zone and a storage station for thelplaying piece near the 7 end'of the playing surface remote from the scoring zone, means for returning the playing piece to the storage station comprising a playing-piece-receiving hopper disposed-beneath the opening in the playing surface and having an approximately plane and vertical wall extending transversely of the playing surface and disposed in the same vertical plane as the adjacent edge of the opening in the playing surface, a second wall extending transversely of the playing surface opposite said plane wall, said second wall having a portion extendingabove the playing surface and having beneath the playing surface a portion inclined progressively to approach the vertical and said plane wall, and an inclined bottom slightly wider than the thickness of a playingpiece, said walls and bottom forming a guide channel extending transversely of the playing surface, and means'forming an inclined channel for guiding a playing piece while rolling on 20 its periphery, said channel-forming means being connected at one end in playing-piece-receiving relation to the lower end of said hopper and extending from there in a direction generally longitudinally of the game device playing surface.

JOSEPH E. BECK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: I

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 694,121 Vaughan Feb. 25, 1902 1,106,859 Ayers Aug. 11, 1914 1,562,008 Stevenson Nov. 17, 1925 2,159,966 Dunham May 30, 1939 2,317,126 Biderman Apr. 20, 1943 2,494,929 Colaluca Jan. 1'7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS v Number Country Date France Jan. 20, 1934 

